Martinez Open Space Protections

May 01, 2017 08:21PM
● By Elena Hutslar

Martinez Open Space
Protections

The Martinez Open Space and Park Protection initiative was recently
launched. The initiative will increase protections for all open space and
parkland in Martinez by requiring approval by Martinez voters for changes to
more intensive development on these lands.

Currently the city council has the ability to convert these
lands to other uses.

The initiative says these lands can still be converted to
more intensive development uses like housing or commercial, but the initiative
will require that any such change be approved by Martinez voters.

“This initiative looks to the future. Our open space and
parklands will be under more and more pressure from population increases in and
around Martinez. The initiative gives us all a voice in the future of
these treasured places,” states Mark Thomson, one of the proponents of the initiative.

Mark Thomson, Kerry Kilmer, and Tim Platt signed the Notice
of Intention for the initiative. It is being supported for signature gathering
by the local group Martinez Open Space and Park Protection Committee. The Sierra
Club and Thousand Friends of Martinez have endorsed the initiative.

The initiative petition is
now ready for signature by Martinez voters. Supporters are
collecting approximately 3500 signatures to put the initiative on the
ballot. Then a public vote will be held to turn the initiative into law.

Kay Cox, speaking for Thousand Friends of Martinez said,
“This initiative gives all of us a say in the future of our open space and
parks. That makes sense, because open space and parks affect everyone's quality
of life. We ask the citizens of Martinez to sign the initiative to get it
on the ballot.”

There are also two provisions included in the initiative. To
read the provisions and to learn more about signing the initiative petition and
how to help or make a donation, visit the Martinez Open Space and Park
Protection Committee website at: www.martinezopenspace.org. The committee
can also be contacted on their Facebook page, Martinez Open Space, and via
e-mail at martinezopenspace@outlook.com.